Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31386: Next-Gen Space Materials: MISSE-10 and the Quest for Durability

The tenth installment of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-10) represented one of NASA’s most extensive investigations into the durability of space materials. Deployed during Expeditions 57 and 58, this research pushed the boundaries of what materials can survive in space, from atomic oxygen to thermal cycling.

Principal Investigators from NASA, universities, and private partners contributed hundreds of samples for testing. These included polymers, composites, seals, and nanomaterials—all potential candidates for spacecraft structures, shielding, and instruments.

Using Alpha Space’s MISSE Flight Facility, samples were exposed to the harsh realities of orbit for over a year. Researchers examined how atomic oxygen degraded polymers, how UV radiation faded coatings, and how micrometeoroid impacts altered surface textures.

The results have already helped space engineers select better materials for solar panels, radiation shielding, and even inflatable habitats. The collaborative nature of MISSE-10 fostered strong industry-academia partnerships, reinforcing the critical role of space-based testing.

MISSE-10 contributes to safer, longer-lasting space missions as NASA and its partners aim for the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

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